GENERAL ADMISSIONS INFORMATION:

By using theoretical, historical, empirical, and ethical approaches, political scientists analyze political systems, public-policy making processes and the political behavior of public officials and citizens. The faculty at Geneseo strongly encourages the examination of concrete political case studies, the examination of political values and the sharpening of analytical skills necessary to careers in politics, government administration and law, and to effective citizen participation.

The faculty of the Department of Political Science and International Relations has developed four career area plans for students who wish to use the major and related courses from other academic disciplines to prepare for specific career goals. These four career plans are not designed to be exclusive, but to assist students who wish to organize their program with specific career objectives in mind.

Areas of ConcentrationThe political science curriculum at Geneseo emphasizes the basic areas of American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics and Political Thought.

American Politics includes study of American national government, state and local government, political behavior, the legal system, constitutional rights and liberties, public administration, and public policy.

Comparative Politics includes evaluations of different political systems, the Third World, and area studies of East Central Europe, Western Europe, Israel, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

International Politics includes various global issues, U.S. foreign policy, global economy, human rights, theories of international relations and the politics of international economic relations.

Political Thought includes the basic components and issues of political theory, developments from Plato and Locke, major political philosophers, twentieth century political criticism, and problems of American thought.

MinorsThe Public Administration Minor provides students training in public management and policy-making to supplement the pre-law concentration and/or a major in business or other social science areas. Courses are drawn from political science, business, geography, sociology and computer science.

The International Relations Minor offers substantive and analytical background in foreign affairs, national security studies and international economy.

The Religious Studies Minor provides the opportunity to gain a critical understanding of the role of religion in society and in the development of human perspectives.

InternshipsSince many students who study political science express a corollary interest in public administration, politics and law, the Department offers a full range of internship opportunities including: the Washington Program; Rochester, Monroe County and Livingston County political affairs and public administration internships; and local legal affairs internships.

The Washington Program provides the opportunity to study firsthand the process of the American federal government in action. Students may work in Congress, various federal executive agencies such as the Departments of Justice or State, or other departments depending upon their interests.

Alternatively, students may choose to work with interest groups such as the National Association of Manu­facturers, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Amer­ican Bar Association, the Sierra Club or the National Organization for Women, and are strongly encouraged to pursue their own interests-internship placements are designed to meet these interests directly.

Students may also select local internships in political affairs and public administration where they may work with Rochester city government, Livingston or Monroe County government, the Monroe County legislature, local congressional and State Senate and State Assembly district offices, environmental management agencies or political parties.

For those interested in pursuing pre-law or the legal studies option, legal affairs internships with local attorneys, the Livingston County District Attorney's office or legal affairs interest groups are available. Practical experience and insight into the nature of the legal profession are gained through such involvement.

Career Options and Post-Graduate StudyAs a behavioral science, political science provides an excellent background for careers in a variety of fields. Graduates typically find employment in such diverse areas as personnel management, marketing, city government, communications, publishing, industrial relations, labor relations and law. In many cases, advan­ced studies in political science significantly enhance the prospect of access to substantial entry-level positions.

Graduates of the Political Science Department have been most successful in gaining admission to graduate and professional programs. Recent graduates are studying law at Boston University, Cornell University, Fordham, Georgetown University, Harvard, SUNY Buffalo, the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University; others are pursuing graduate programs at George Washington University, Indiana University, SUNY Albany, Syracuse University, University of Michigan, University of Pittsburgh and other excellent institutions.